Shoya Japanese Restaurant

9650 0848, 25 Market Lane, Melbourne. VIC 3000 www.shoya.com.au
Open Lunch 7 days noon-2.30pm dinner Sun-Thu 6pm-10.30pm Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm; Licensed; AE DC MC V, Seats inside 120, Private room
Chef: Shigeo Nonaka (21-9-11) Owner: Ron Lim & Shigeo Nonaka (11-10-10)

Mietta's Review
All you wanted to know about Japanese eating (and drinking) but didn't dare ask will be explained when you enter Shoya and have to choose how you'll eat - table and chair, tatami area, BBQ table, at the sushi bar, at the sake bar or perhaps you'd prefer the karaoke room. Once the formalities are out of the way you'll find good Japanese food, including excellent sushi and sashimi, in this massively made over building.

Other Published Opinions

Gourmet Traveller 2012 Australian Restaurant Guide "If Japanese culture is notable for veering from the austere and traditional to the exuberant and hyper-inventive, then place Shoya at the latter end of the spectrum. Almost crazed in its eclecticism, it is, variously, a barbecue joint (diners can grill their own real-deal wagyu a top-line sushi bar and, well, a karaoke bar"

Age Good Food Guide 2012 Score: 15.5/20, 1 Hat

Age Good Food Guide 2011 Score: 15.5/20, One Hat

Gourmet Traveller 2011 Australian Restaurant Guide "Choices, choices. In truth. Shoya comes close to paralysing the diner with them, even when it comes to seating options. Should one choose a barbecue grill table, the sushi bar, traditional horigotatsu seati"

Age Good Food Guide 2010 Score: 15.5/20

Gourmet Traveller 2010 Australian Restaurant Guide "In a city of identikit Japanese restaurants. Shdya dares to be different. Shigeo Nonaka's take on wafu (food, that is, that stays true to the fundamentals of Japanese gastronomy, but embraces techniques and ingredients from outside sources) blends the classic and the unexpected with unerring success"

Age Good Food Guide 2009 Score: 15.5/20

Gourmet Traveller 2009 Australian Restaurant Guide "This multi-level slice of transplanted Tokyo offers a choose-your-ownadventure in contemporary Japanese hospitality, from the basement barbecue den and casual horigotatsu area with low tables and tatami mats, to the sushi and karaoke bars"

Herald Sun Claire Sutherland, 10-06-08 Score: **** "Melbourne's best Japanese restaurant - sought out by visiting Japanese foodies"

Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 15.5/20

Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide "Shoya brings new meaning to multi-skilling. Ranged over six levels you'll find four karaoke rooms, a DIY barbecue grill, sushi bar, shoesoff seating pit, dining room and even a chill-out lounge"

Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 14/20

Herald Sun Dining Out Simon Plant 28/6/05 Score 16/20 "Abandon all preconceptions about Japanese food and open your mind and tastebuds to the glories of Shoya. The produce is exceptional, the presentation dazzling, and alert staff attend to your every need."

Age Good Food Guide 2005 score 14/20

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Restaurant Guide "Shoya is a vast new Japanese pleasure palace within the shell ofa recycled old city building. It houses a variety of activities: Japanese barbecue, a la carte, tatami room, sushi bar, sake bar and karaoke rooms. Much ofShoya's approach is authentic; sake is taken particularly seriously. A lot ofthe food is superb and uncompromising, too."

Age Take Five John Lethlean 11/7/04

Herald Sun, Weekend, 26/6/04,Bob Hart,'an opulent establishment-six levels of activities ranging from yakiniku (do-it-yourself barbecue) tables on the lower floors, set lunches and a la carte service and a splendid sushi bar on the mid levels, karoke parlours and a lounge-bar on the upper levels. Grill,eat drink or, if you must,sing in private...Shoya is an absolute winner.'

Age, Epicure,20/4/04,John Lethlean,Score 15/20